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The Skyfall teaser trailer is less than 75 80 seconds, but it is the first real chance to compare Skyfall’s marketing and talking points to excerpts of the finished product. The teaser trailer is an indication what the Skyfall principals want to emphasize. Until now, fans only had words to go by.

So, here an *early* comparison. Until there’s more to judge, this is a preliminary evaluation:

ON THE MARK:

“With Casino Royale, we started down a path, and we’re sticking with that path.” Michael G. Wilson, co-boss of Eon Productions at November news conference in London, when asked if there would be any changes of direction in Skyfall. Based on the trailer, Skyfall looks to, indeed, another Casino Royale or Quantum of Solace.

In later 007 novels by Ian Fleming, James Bond Bond suffered from a “combination of lassitude, boredom, depression, difficulty with what he’s chosen to do for a living, which is to kill. That makes him a much more interesting character, and some of those things are explored in this movie, because Daniel (Craig) as an actor is capable of exploring them.” That’s director Sam Mendes as quoted by The Associated Press, talking to the press in Turkey in April. Based on the trailer, Craig/Bond is indeed a somber chap.

“Skyfall is even a bit darker than usual.” Mendes as quoted by LaRepubblica during an April media event. Darker than Quantum of Solace? Maybe, maybe not. Darker than the bulk of the 23-film series made by Eon? Again, the trailer would seem to say yes.

LOOKING DUBIOUS

“The director Sam Mendes and Daniel are taking it back to a 60s feel – more Sean. I think that’s what the fans wanted. There’s a magical Goldfinger feel ­surrounding it all. Michael G. Wilson, as quoted in the U.K.’s The People in December, about six weeks after he said there’d be no change in direction with Skyfall. The teaser trailer didn’t appear to have much of a Goldfinger feel.

“I’m making a film that’s both a traditional Bond film, but also one that’s very personal to me.” Mendes as quoted by Shortlist magazine in late April. Skyfall may be personal to Mendes but, based on the trailer, the movie doesn’t look remotely like a traditional Bond film.

“If I agreed to shoot Bond is because I believe that it is now possible to make a film of escape, fun, but at the same time tell us something about the world in which we live.” Mendes, again quoted by LaRepubblica. Escape and fun? Not much fun was evident in the Skyfall teaser trailer.

Skyfall’s teaser trailer was unveiled, as scheduled, on May 21 on the official James Bond Web site. Some observations:
— You can see what the fuss was about when Roger Deakins was hired as director of photography. Some of the images are stunning.

— There’s one confirmation that the contents of the call sheets and related materials that got out via eBay were genuine. At the 0:49 mark, agent Eve (Naomie Harris) is indeed shaving Bond (Daniel Craig), which was a listed scene in the call sheet materials.

Anyway, if you haven’t seen it, take a look at this version uploaded to YouTube by Sony. After the trailer, there’s an ad for the upcoming 007-themed Legends video game.

UPDATE: Some reactions around the Twitterverse. Multiple tweets to the effect that the 007.com site was very slow when the trailer went online overnight New York time. The trailer was uploaded after it was on a BBC morning show. Meanwhile on the BBC, James Bond@James Bond Live: “You’re late 007. (Skyfall trailer reveal postponed as BBC News takes their sweet time….)”